Mud Skippers

Ahh winter in the Pacific northwest. How did we ever do this before waders?

Cole demonstrates some serious hang time.

Nice pre-stomp form by Grant.

Perfect splash by Cole.

Imagine this one without waders.

Yup, this puddle's big enough for the both of us.

I'll be a Sunbeam for Him

Meet a couple of the newest Sunbeams!

They're still not convinced that they like the transition. They were pretty much at the top of the food chain in the nursery and now they're small fish in the big pond of junior primary. One sign that they'll fit in: the night after their first day of real primary we sang "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" before bed and they sang it as "sun-BEAM!" just like numberless concourses of irreverent sunbeams have been doing for generations.

Northern Exposure

I specifically remember the moment I got news of Sarah Palin being chosen to run with John McCain. I looked up everything I could about her. It's so incredibly rare that any politician would stand up to the status quo and endure the beatings and ridicule that come, as she has. Other politicians hated her, but the people of Alaska loved her (85% of them), so she was obviously doing something right...namely getting rid of wasteful, self-serving, pointless government positions and programs, something that seems impossible for most other elected officials to accomplish. She cleaned house, and saved Alaska millions of dollars. And yet, so many people are still stuck on the waste of time interview with Katie Couric (who's about as sharp as a marble) where all of her accomplishments were conveniently edited out.

Evan ordered Sarah's book for my B-day so I could get it as soon as it was released. My only complaint was that it ended too quickly, and I didn't have it to look forward to anymore. Sad day.

I could go on and on, but let me get to the point: reading about the Palin family's true passion for the outdoors and fishing prompted me to send a couple pair of waders to their youngest kids - 8 yr. old Piper, and almost 2 yr. old Trig, right after Christmas. After all, I'd seen many pictures of Sarah in her waders, and we (OakiWear) are literally the only ones in the world with real waders for kids under 12 yrs old. It's true. Our customers tell us that on a daily basis. And I knew she didn't have any for them because I checked our sales sheets, and she never ordered any. I never expected to hear back from the Palins or benefit in any way - I just admire her and wanted the kids to be warm and dry - seriously.

Well, yesterday - Evan was particularly beaming when he brought the mail in, because he was armed with this little miracle:

Inside was this home made card from her kids,
... and a note from THE WOMAN herself!

We've sold lots of waders to Alaska, even a few pair to Wasilla. I asked one customer if he knew Sarah (she was the Mayor, after all, and it's a small town.) He said he worked for the Army Strategic Reserve, and was involved with her administration. "Unofficially, she's as real as they get, and we're big fans, too!" is what he wrote.

I'd have to agree with that.

Thanks, Sarah!!!!

*****There will be showings of the card to anyone who wants to stop by and ooh & ahhh over it. Then, it will be framed and appropriately admired for the rest of my life.*****

Treat Hounds

The boys have both started bargaining (threatening?) when they don't get what they want.
Grant: I'm not gonna eat those (blueberries) or healthy things. I just wanna eat treats! If I don't eat any treats, I'm not gonna eat no things.
Cole: I'm gonna lock up all the treats where Mama can't find them.

As Cole was eating dessert, which Grant missed out on because he didn't want to eat any dinner:
Grant: If you eat the ice cream, Cole, you can't grow big.

Rocky Mountain Udders

This is a recent conversation I had with Grant. He was looking at our napkin holder which my parents made for us.

Grant:	Is this a mama cow or a daddy cow?
Dad:	It's a mama cow.
Grant:	Why?
Dad:	Because it has an udder and only mama cows have udders.
Grant:	My daddy cow has an udder.
Dad:	Umm, that's not an udder...

Joy to the World!

'Twas the morning of Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring... ... but that didn't last long. They have both slept in their new Lightning McQueen hide-a-beds every night since Christmas. Grant has been asking for "animals" for Christmas for several weeks.

Bryn's favorite present is just wrassling with her brothers. The boys enjoyed their new train set. Notice the lamentable condition of the sliding glass door behind them, because... ... Sue could hardly wait to unleash her present, a window washing squeegee. But I heard someone exclaim as Bryn sat on his couch... ... "Dad! Brynnie won't get off of my Lightning McQueen bed."

Time for my long winter's nap.

... And To All a Good Night

Some Christmas letters don't need any words, even if they're worth a thousand.

Blanket Transportation

What do you do when your blankie starts feeling a little burdensome?

No problem for this girl. She has brothers, and brothers have trucks.

Family Resemblence

A lot of people say Bryn looks just like her brothers.
Uh huh. I can see that.
She certainly follows in their footsteps.

A Tale of Two Santas

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the best of Santas^*,
... it was the worst of Santas.
"Hey, what have you done with the real Santa!?!?"

* Special thanks to Alex Maynes Photography for inviting the real Santa to his studio.

Pepe Le Polar Bear?

Yes, those are my boys, watching cartoons while wearing their Halloween costumes.

Smoothie Operator

Uh-oh, someone left their smoothie where Bryn could get it. She likes smoothies.

If you think she's a mess, you should have seen the floor underneath her. Fortunately, she was in the kitchen.

Kisses, anyone?

Despicable

The boys were talking in the back seat while we were driving today and Cole told Grant "You're despicable." I laughed, knowing he learned it from watching Bugs Bunny but then Sue asked him if he knew what "despicable" meant.

He answered, "It means you like carrots."

Verbal Vignettes

Sue: I wonder where you're going to go on your mission?
Grant: My mission is gonna be BIG!
Cole: My mission is going to be small.
Grant: My mission is going to be so high to touch the sky.


Cole's mis-pronunciation guide:
myoo-tee-ant (mutant)
bu-deck-shun (direction)


A day or so after taking the family to the county fair:
Grant: That's not fair!
Cole: We went to the fair yesterday


Cole: Jesus said you have to share, Grant.
Grant: You're not Jesus, Cole!
Cole: You're not a prophet!


I asked the boys to help me carry in some logs for the fire and I handed Grant one that he thought was a little too big for him. He chose a smaller one and said, "I'll take this one. It's just my age."

Turkey Days are Here Again

So, Thanksgiving...

We ate turkey, played games.

The young 'uns ran races.

My sister came to visit.

...and brought her kids.

Lovely.

Just. Lovely.

Surgery on the Chair

Dr. Cole made the incision,
and Dr. Dad stitched it up.
The Chair is resting comfortably, and although a complete recovery would be nice, it may be scarred for life. We'll still love it, though.

Pointing Fingers at Finger Painters

That's right, the boys had their first exposure to finger paints.
I think it's safe to say they enjoyed the experience.

Then it got silly.

Too silly.

We'll let Bryn have a turn next time...

Stuck On You

Here's Grant sitting down to a well balanced meal of...

peanut butter?

It makes the roof of my mouth feel sticky just looking at it.

At least he's got some milk handy.

Now that I'm ONE

I can tease...
drink from a cup (sort of)...
wash my own hair (after I'm done drinking from a cup)...
push my baby... (oh - and WALK!!!)
and cuddle with Grandma...
for as long as I want.
We miss you, Grandma and Grandpa!